After devolution of sports through the 18th amendment, provinces have to play a major role in sports development. Realising the importance of sports, Sindh Secretary Sports Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah and his team are working on a policy draft these days to put the sports of the province on the right track.

The other day Imtiaz sought input from the sports stakeholders of the province. It was an open forum and all stakeholders gave their viewpoint about their respective sport, its achievements and problems and what the provincial government should do to assist its growth. This was a rare occasion that a top sports administrator of the province took pain to listen for long to the stakeholders and seek their suggestions in order to get the most viable points which would help complete a comprehensive and sustainable policy draft which would cover almost every sector.

Usually Sindh is regarded as the most passive province as far as sports development is concerned. But Imtiaz seems to be a different man. His body language and the policy draft which he is preparing indicate that he wants to promote sports.

Loads of suggestions came from the participants who belonged to both Olympic and non-Olympic sports. Stakeholders from the interior Sindh were also part of the gathering.

The stakeholders stressed the need of abolishing parallel associations in the province which are huge obstructions in the way of development of some sports disciplines. Some said that only those associations should be owned which are affiliated with the national sports federations. Some said that both should be banned but athletes should be allowed to participate in events at the provincial and national level.

Stakeholders stressed that departments should own players, lamenting that many departments have abolished sports teams which have left athletes jobless and their families are suffering.

The stakeholders stressed that Sindh in general, and Karachi in particular, needs international-level infrastructure.

In every district of Karachi there should be an international-level facility which could host competitions of up to 20 disciplines which will help the province stage international events, a stakeholder said.

It was also suggested that under rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) women should be given representation in policy-making of associations and federations. Of the three key posts of president, secretary General and treasurer, one should be given to a woman. Thus, in four years, women will achieve the 33 percent representation, a stakeholder said.

The participants stressed the need to promote sports at the school level. They said that top players should be given scholarships at school, college and university levels. The participants stressed the need to give cash awards to players at the grassroots level events which according to them could motivate parents to let their children engage in sports. Some stakeholders said that hostel facilities are direly needed to accommodate athletes during competitions. It was also stressed that players’ injuries treatment should be backed by the government.

The participants also stressed the need to provide equipment to the associations and give cash awards to the leading sportsmen of Sindh who have won medals in the international circuit. They stressed that there should be regular meetings between the Sindh government and Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) which will help address the issues.

A participant said that para-sports should be part of every association and must be recognised.

It was also stressed that organisers and coaches should also be given awards for their meritorious services.

It was suggested by a journalist that the associations should submit an annual activity calendar with the Sindh sports wing and the associations should seek sponsors through effective marketing strategies which would supplement the Sindh government’s efforts for the growth of sports in the province.

A stakeholder said that the big issue is the implementation of a policy. He said that he has read the revised national sports policy 2005 and he is convinced that it has some good elements but it is not being implemented properly.

A stakeholder said that there should be certain rules and regulations to bind the departments not to hire the services of any sportsperson below 18 years of age. “We are working on these buds and departments pluck them before they have fully grown,” a stakeholder said.

The Sindh Sports Secretary briefly highlighted important points of the sports policy draft which contained majority of the points pin-pointed by the stakeholders, and a few more.

If these points are finalised and approved and then smartly executed, there could be a renaissance of sports in the province.

Imtiaz said that vital points in the light of the suggestions of the stakeholders would be incorporated in the provincial sports policy draft.

Imtiaz said that a committee would be formed to further review the policy draft before finalising it.

I would also suggest to Imtiaz Ali Shah that besides enhancing infrastructure for other sports efforts should also be made for the development of infrastructure for beach sports. Beach Games have acquired an important status in the global sports calendar. Karachi is an ideal place for beach events. If a proper international facility is established here it could turn out to be a big international beach sports hub which will boost the economy and improve its soft image at the global level.